Annual Report 2008 - TRA - Telecommunication Regulatory Authority

10
TRA Annual Report 2008
Highlights of 2008
10 HIGHLIGHTS
OF 2008
January
TRA sets up the new Consumer and Business User
Advisory Groups
February
The Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain issues the
second National Telecommunications Plan
TRA proposes a package of measures to promote
competition following the Strategic and Retail Market
Review and issues a Draft Significant Market Power
Determination
Following reports of security attacks on networks, TRA
reminds licensed operators to protect their customers
The Consumer and Business User Advisory Groups meet
licensed operators
TRA publishes its first Telecommunications Services
Indicators Report
March
TRA considers legal action against Batelco for
advertising services not yet approved
TRA issues draft guidelines on telecommunications
infrastructure deployment
TRA requires mobile operators to notify customers
of roaming charges - mobile charges when they are
travelling overseas
TRA fines Batelco BD 100 thousand for not providing
wholesale leased line services to 2Connect
April
The process of awarding a third mobile operator licence
begins with TRA inviting expressions of interest and
views from the telecoms industry
The Arab Regulators’ Network (AREGNET) meets in
Bahrain as TRA holds presidency. AREGNET agree
recommendations on reducing international mobile
roaming charges and discuss environmental issues and
benchmarking
The General Director of TRA speaks at the Middle East
Network Operators Group (MENOG) meeting in Kuwait
TRA hosts discussion between all key stakeholders to
develop National Spectrum Planning and Allocation
Policy
The Consumer Advisory Group meets Batelco’s Chief
Executive
May
Six companies express interest in the third mobile
operator licence and TRA invites proposals for designing
and managing the selection process
Batelco fulfils its obligations in providing leased line
services to 2Connect and other licensed operators
TRA consults on quality of service draft regulation
The General Director of TRA addresses the Strategic
Telecommunications Summit in Abu Dhabi
June
TRA issues its Final Statement on the Strategic and
Retail Market Review and its Final Determination of
Significant Market Power
TRA publishes an independent price benchmarking
study of telecommunications services in Arab countries
TRA hands over the presidency of AREGNET to Tunisia
TRA invites proposals to develop competition guidelines
and tariff notification guidelines
TRA holds a workshop on the policies related to the
deployment of telecommunications networks in new
property developments and publishes a study on the
issue
New TRA Board meets for the first time
TRA consults on a revised National Numbering Plan
TRA appoints consultants to work on the number
portability project
TRA meets licensees to discuss Batelco’s wholesale
service offerings